Being out and about at first light is often richly rewarded in South Africa’s wild places, as was the case with this memorable encounter with a spotted hyena near Letaba Rest Camp, in the Kruger National Park.
“Early Bird” is the theme for this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge
DeWetsWild 
When I look at the photo I can almost feel the crispness that’s in the air. Pitty hyienas are seen as the underdogs in so many cases
Welkom hier by ons, Sparkle!
We definitely agree with your sentiments about hyenas; we think they’re fascinating animals and really don’t deserve their cowardly reputation!
Thank you kindly! Once I saw hyena pups on the tv. My 1st thought was: are they suppose to be so cute!
Cute and cuddly they definitely are!
Out in the jeep at sunrise are some of my most memorable safari moments. Magical. I love the look this guy is giving you!
We entirely agree Jane; the wonder of the African bush waking up and the excitement of not knowing what’s waiting around the next corner has to be experienced first hand to fully appreciate!
gorgeous photo
Thanks so much Ritva!
Terrific shot, shall we call her Esme?
A good name for a powerful matriarch!
Wonderful shot!
Thank you very much Alison!
So true!! In kruger, one morning drive let us drive with two cheetahs for almost 20m. It was awesome
Now that is special Mia! And exactly the kind reason why we never have any problems getting up early in the morning when we’re out in the bush, not even in summer when the Kruger camps open their gates at 04:30!
Great shot!
Thanks Montucky!
Wow! The expression looking straight into his or her eyes is amazing! Nice shot.
Thank you Cyndi! From this animal’s size I’d bet it’s a female; in spotted hyena society the females are dominant over and much larger than the males.
They’re so unusual looking! Great photo! 🙂
Thanks a lot Linda!
Perfect portrait of this hyena – must have been great your eyes meeting!
Thanks Ann-Christine, it certainly was a wonderful encounter.
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Pragtige foto!
Dankie Dina!
You absolutely nailed this shot! Focused right on this fella’s eyes 🙂 And the side light is beautiful. Great capture!
Wow, thank you for the generous compliment Stacy!
My pleasure 🙂
Wow…. what a great shot! Worth rising early for. 🙂
Thanks Sylvia!
How delightful to capture this little guy! 🙂
Delightful indeed Amy, but not quite so little 😉 . Spotted hyenas weigh around 60kg.
That is a great shot…here early morning the only fauna about are stray dogs…
Thanks very much Jim!
Those stray dogs you mentioned sounds like such a sad predicament.
When in Kruger you have to be up at first light… great captuŕe
Agreed Rob, there’s no other way; what a feeling waiting for the gates to open!
I’m normally first in line
Then it will be a tussle between the de Wets and the Bulldogs if we ever find ourselves in the same camp at the same time!
I’ll have to send the link for this to our younger daughter who, for no known reason, loves heynas. She’s done a number of prints of them, too.
janet
I’ll be very glad if we could give your daughter some fresh inspiration Janet! Didn’t she blog some of her pictures?
Yes, she has a site, but it’s probably not at all up-to-date because she’s so busy. The site is here: https://dewetswild.com/2015/04/17/early-bird/. If you go to Jan 4, 2014, you’ll see a heyna she did.
Thanks Janet! I think the links got mixed up a little though, this one points back at our post 😉
I sent yours to here and my computer must not have re-copied. Let’s try again: https://dontwaittonight.wordpress.com/.
Thanks again Janet! She sure is really talented, no wonder she’s so busy!
aw, this little fella looks cute in here! 🙂
Wouldn’t advise petting him though!
awesomeness!
Thanks Q! Nice to see you around here again!